Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct - Yacht 2019 - Leaderboard

World ARC 2024-25 - Thank you & Farewell Australia

by World Cruising Club 10 Sep 2024 20:58 UTC

Tuesday 10 September, saw the start of World ARC 2024-25 Leg 9 - northern Australia to Indonesia. With easy wind conditions on the start line in Darwin Bay, it was a very civilised start for the fleet which saw Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49, Bahati, cross the line first followed by Fatjax, a Shipman 63, and then Mistral of Portsmouth, an Oyster 56. As the wind increased a little the remaining fleet quickly picked up pace and they were all smartly over the line in no time.

Having experienced the magic of the Pacific the fleet arrived in Australia at the beginning of August. Since their arrival, the boats have had the opportunity to visit some extraordinary islands along the east coast. Andy and Heejung on Kaja are having a wonderful experience and have found all the destinations equally as exciting. As for their time in Australia, Heejung said "it's been really great and all the stunning islands were so unexpected, we've had so much fun".

Last minute boat jobs and provisioning for the longer routes ahead have kept everyone busy in Darwin, but there has also been time to take in the vastness of the northern territories. As part of the World Cruising Club organised programme, there was a tour arranged to the outback. A visit to Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve on route to the Adelaide River took in spectacular panoramic views across the Top End wetlands providing a great introduction to the many varieties of magnificent wildlife and abundance of stunning flora in the area. It was then on to meet the mighty Brutus, the local crocodile who is reported to be around 100 years old! A guided cruise along the river provided a wealth of information about these magnificent and extraordinary creatures who have roamed these parts for many centuries.

During their time in Darwin, the fleet have enjoyed welcome drinks at Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association, and we take this opportunity to thank Wendy McCullan, General Manager, and her very supportive team for a very warm welcome.

Robbie Standaloft is the Marina Manager for both locations where the fleet have been moored in Darwin - Tipperary Waters and Cullen Bay Marina. Robbie was not only on site every day to offer support and help to all the boats on the docks, but he also provided a fun evening on the pontoon where the drinks flowed, and delicious sausages sizzled on the barbeque. Our thanks to Robbie, Gabrielle over at Cullen Bay and all the lock masters for your efforts to ensure the fleet enjoyed their stay in Darwin.

Additionally, we would like to thank Eddie at Frying Nemo for providing a room to conduct the checkout procedures in comfort. And, not least we would like to mention the very efficient team at the Australian Boarder Force. As part of the pre-organisation, the team of officers kindly prepared all the boats' paperwork in advance and came to the marina to conduct the check-out procedures. Experienced Officers on site meant it took only a matter of minutes to check out each boat.

As the World ARC Rally heads westward to continue their quest to sail the world, the fleet is joined by 4 new boats in Darwin, most of which have rejoined from World ARC 2023 or previous ARC rallies. A further 9 boats will join in Indonesia making the ongoing fleet 22 boats in total. Meeting new crews, rekindling friendships and continuing with already firmly established bonds will only add to the wonderful camaraderie and spirit that already exists amongst the crews.

The route from Darwin to Lombok will see the fleet cover approximately 920NM reaching Medana Bay Marina in about 7 days if not sooner for the faster boats in the fleet. Participants are sure to receive a warm welcome from the islanders and they all look forward to experiencing new and exciting adventures ahead.

Related Articles

ARC 2025 - 40 years of transatlantic rallies
Following in the wake of 8,000 boats The crews who will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this November will follow in the wake of 7,890 yachts and over 30,000 people who have sailed the rally since 1986. Posted on 15 Feb
Great Prizegiving in Santa Marta for World ARC
The prize-giving ceremony for the first leg The time in Santa Marta seemed to fly by, many happy memories were made and everyone had a great time. Posted on 21 Jan
An exciting week ahead in Santa Marta
The programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls After a couple of packed days with arrivals in IGY Santa Marta, Colombia, the programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls. Posted on 18 Jan
The 39th ARC comes to a close in Saint Lucia
2,700NM of ocean memories, achievments and reflection The ARC rally ethos of collective endeavour, friendship and support took centre stage at the awards ceremony on Saturday night in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. Posted on 22 Dec 2024
12th ARC+ Rally comes to a close in Grenada
Achievements recognised, cherished memories, and lasting friendships The final gathering of the 12th edition of the ARC+ transatlantic cruising rally took place last night in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
ARC+ 2024 - Exploring & celebrating in Grenada
All boats now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina All boats who took the ARC+ start from Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands are now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina. Posted on 11 Dec 2024
ARC Season arrives in the Caribbean
First yachts make landfall: ARC+ in Greanada and ARC in Saint Lucia The ARC and ARC+ transatlantic rally yachts are arriving in the Caribbean. Both rallies started in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in November, with the ARC+ fleet sailing to Grenada via Cape Verde, and the ARC fleet sailing direct to Saint Lucia. Posted on 10 Dec 2024
World Cruising Club Statement about Ocean Breeze
33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard on Monday It is with great sadness that World Cruising Club confirms that 33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard from yacht Ocean Breeze on Monday 2 December at 02:27 UTC. Posted on 3 Dec 2024
World Cruising Club Statement about Ocean Breeze
Active man overboard search underway for crewmember At 02:27 UTC this morning, Monday 2 December, a crew member went overboard from the yacht Ocean Breeze in the mid-Atlantic and a search was initiated by the vessel. The rescue operation is being coordinated by MRCC Norfolk USA. Posted on 2 Dec 2024
ARC 2024 starts
Cruisers, racers and multihulls begin their Atlantic adventure With today's start of the 39th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, there are 234 yachts crossing the ocean from Gran Canaria to the Caribbean with the ARC and ARC+ rallies. Posted on 24 Nov 2024
Henri-Lloyd - For the ObsessedCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One Design